10.08.08
Regional budget airline Flybe is creating an XML-based system that will allow third parties - including online flight comparison websites - to directly access its pricing and booking without the need for them to resort to ‘screen-scraping’.
The move is designed to protect its main website booking engine from the strain caused by screen scrape programs, and shows the airline’s active support of online retailers that provide a valued revenue stream, a spokesman said. The move is the direct opposite of rival Ryanair, who have launched a bitter campaign against online flight booking websites.
Stephen Hobday, Flybe’s Head of Sales, said: ‘By booking seats directly from our website, online agencies provide a valued revenue stream at minimal distribution cost. As technology continues to evolve, it is inevitable that demand from web-based platforms such as those used by flight aggregators, dot coms and providers of travel agent and corporate booking tools, will increase.'
‘To make the process more robust, we are developing and testing Web Services allowing online agents to connect to its API (Application Programming Interface - an XML based option). By providing a direct feed from our flight inventory and prices to the online retailer there will be significant benefit to both the customer and the airline.’
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